info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Survey is in: Here’s what Olathe residents think of city services

info2019-02-21T09:10:05-06:00February 21st, 2019|

Olathe residents remain among the most satisfied in the metro Kansas City area when it comes to their local government and city services, but a new survey shows several areas where that support slipped last year. Transportation issues in particular generated some of the biggest complaints from citizens polled during the final three months of 2018 by research firm The ETC Institute. Researchers released the results of their latest survey to the Olathe City Council on Tuesday. Only 52 percent of the roughly 500 respondents said they were satisfied with the ease of traveling east or west in the city, which [...]

Wichita Transit looks into self-driving shuttles program

info2019-02-21T09:08:34-06:00February 21st, 2019|

You could soon see autonomous vehicles in Wichita. The city's transit department is talking with the company Navya about trading two Q-Line trolleys for two self-operating shuttles. Wichita Transit Director Mike Trann says the vehicles would seat 15 people each. A staff member would still be on board to take control if the autonomous system had an issue. The city says it would cost $100,000 to launch the pilot program. Once the city council approves the program, Trann says it would take the company six weeks to get the system deployed. Trann says staff members are working on a proposal to [...]

Acting Secretary of Commerce Testified on Rural Revitalization before House Committee

info2019-02-21T09:08:17-06:00February 21st, 2019|

David Toland, Acting Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce, delivered testimony to the House Rural Revitalization Committee earlier today, focusing on challenges and how the agency can better serve communities in rural parts of Kansas. Topics included several challenges facing rural Kansans, including population loss, business closings, and even how one defines a community as “rural.” “If you’re in Dighton, Scott City is a big town. If you’re in Scott City, Garden City is a big town,” Toland said. “So while it’s all rural, it’s not all the same.” Toland explained several issues the Department of Commerce has had in [...]

Senate panel considers bill requiring counties to contact voters about signature errors

info2019-02-21T09:07:17-06:00February 21st, 2019|

A Senate committee reflecting on the increase in advance ballot popularity considered amending an elections law Wednesday to allow voters time to correct signature errors on advance ballots before the final canvass. Sedgwick County election commissioner Tabitha Lehman said she has concerns with timing in the proposed legislation. “Our concern is that this does not allow sufficient time for our office to reach out to voters whose ballots arrive the day before or on Election Day,” Lehman said. Members of the Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee discussed efficient ways to make contact with voters who have an error with a [...]

Commission approves contract with new County Manager Tom Stolz

info2019-02-21T09:05:27-06:00February 21st, 2019|

Sedgwick County officially has a new County Manager. Tom Stolz was named Sedgwick County Manager after the Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to accept his employment contract. “Through every interaction with community members, partners and staff, the support for this decision was strong," said Chairman David Dennis, Sedgwick Co. Board of Commissioners. "All of those who have worked with Tom recognize that he is a strong leader who has developed strong relationships.” (Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

South Hutch City Council still considering candidates for new police chief

info2019-02-21T09:01:48-06:00February 21st, 2019|

The South Hutchinson City Council is still working to find a new police chief. The interview process with potential candidates is complete. South Hutchinson Mayor Luke Herren says 12 candidates applied. That list was narrowed down to five. All five individuals have been interviewed. Herren says the council is now considering who will be the best fit. Herren expects someone to be named within the next couple of weeks. South Hutchinson officials have been looking for a chief since Mark Thompson’s contract was not renewed at the beginning of the year. (Read more: Hutch Post)

R9 Ranch Final Master Order promised by March 1; cities talk to governor

info2019-02-21T09:17:54-06:00February 21st, 2019|

The cities of Hays and Russell have been told a Final Master Order for the R9 Ranch water project will be completed by Friday, March 1. If not, the cities will “turn up the heat,” and 40th District State Sen, Rick Billinger, R-Goodlandm plans to intervene, according to Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller. The cities submitted applications to the state in June 2015 for development of the R9 Ranch in Edwards County as a long-term water supply for Hays and Russell. In May 2018, the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources released a draft master order approving an application to [...]

In State of the City, Lenexa mayor highlights Old Town and City Center as key areas of long-term visioning

info2019-02-21T08:57:59-06:00February 21st, 2019|

Lenexa’s future lies not just in the continued development of City Center, but also in renewed vitality of Old Town, Mayor Michael Boehm told the audience at his 2019 State of the City address. The mayor’s address, which was hosted by the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce, highlighted much of these citizen-led visioning efforts being guided by city leaders and staff. Ultimately, residents have asked to keep the city’s community as a “vibrant, connected, hometown feeling, with a distinct culture within a larger metropolitan area.” (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)

Great Bend searches for more ways to bring in overnight guests

info2019-02-21T08:57:13-06:00February 21st, 2019|

Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes says one of the goals for the CVB this year is to partner with the Great Bend Recreation Commission to come up with ways to attract more sports tournaments to town. Hayes says the City is working on sports marketing to get more tournaments outside of the busy summer at the Great Bend Sports Complex. Along with sports marketing, the City is still putting a strong effort to land conventions and other big events to come to Great Bend. Hayes noted the city was in the top three to receive the U.S. [...]

Kingman County Sheriff’s Office receives grant to upgrade 911 systems

info2019-02-21T08:54:36-06:00February 21st, 2019|

The Kingman County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a grant to upgrade its 911 systems, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today. The organization will receive $69,023 to upgrade software and hardware to keep its 911 systems current. The grant is part of the Federal Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and was awarded by the Kansas Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Schmidt serves as the chair of the council. (Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

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